All the damn paper pushers are keeping them from being deployed out of the continental USA because there's no 'projected threats that can't be met by aircraft already in theatre' or some shit like that.

There is likely just a bit more to it than that. Putting them in combat in other parts of the world sees risk of one getting shot down otherwise forced to land and then losing control over some advanced technology developed for the craft. Seriously, even without ever getting hit a plane can go down. So, as long as the other things we have are up to the task, I'd keep them here. When it starts looking like those other things can't provide absolute air superiority, then we bring the F-22's to the party.